Miami Drug Crime Lawyer

Crimes relating to controlled substances routinely account for a majority of all arrests in Florida. Depending on the type and quantity of the drug involved, these crimes may be misdemeanors but are often felony offenses that carry stiff penalties that may include lengthy prison sentences and significant fines.

Any conviction relating to a controlled substance can also have profound long-term consequences on the life of an alleged offender. When a person is convicted of a drug-related crime, he or she will be ineligible numerous benefits including federal student loans and can also be denied employment or housing.

Lawyer for Drug Crimes in Miami-Dade County

If you have been arrested or believe that you might be under investigation for any kind of a criminal offense involving a controlled substance, do not say anything to authorities without legal representation. The Hoffman Firm handles all kinds of drug-related crimes in Miami-Dade County and fights to get criminal charges reduced or dismissed for clients in Miami, North Miami, South Miami, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, Aventura, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Opa Locka, and surrounding communities.

As a former Assistant State Attorney, Evan A. Hoffman is an experienced criminal defense attorney in Miami who understands the most effective ways to handle these cases. He can review your case and help you understand your legal options as soon as you call (305) 249-0090 or submit online contact form to schedule a completely free initial consultation.

Chapter 893 of the Florida Statutes is known as the “Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.” The chapter establishes several prohibited acts related to controlled substances as well as certain penalties and mandatory sentences.

A few of the most common drug-related crimes in this chapter include, but are not limited to:

The passage of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in 1970 classified illegal drugs under federal law by creating five schedules for controlled substances. Florida’s own schedules for controlled substances, established under Florida Statute § 893.03, largely mirror the federal classifications.

The schedule that a drug falls under can play an important role in the severity of the criminal charges. Florida’s five drug schedules are defined as follows:

Schedule I— Substances with a high potential for abuse, having no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and in their use under medical supervision does not meet accepted safety standards. Examples of Schedule I controlled substances include heroin, cannabis (marijuana), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy).

Schedule II — Substances with a high potential for abuse, having currently accepted but severely restricted medical uses in treatment in the United States, and abuse of the substances may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Examples of Schedule II controlled substances include cocaine, methamphetamine, opium, and hydrocodone.

Schedule III — Substances with a potential for abuse less than the substances contained in Schedules I and II, having currently accepted medical uses in treatment in the United States, and abuse of the substances may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence or, in the case of anabolic steroids, may lead to physical damage. Examples of Schedule III controlled substances include anabolic steroids, nalorphine, ketamine, and dronabinol (synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]).

Schedule IV — Substances with a low potential for abuse relative to the substances in Schedule III, having currently accepted medical uses in treatment in the United States, and abuse of the substances may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to the substances in Schedule III. Examples of Schedule IV controlled substances include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).

Schedule V — Substances with a low potential for abuse relative to the substances in Schedule IV, having currently accepted medical uses in treatment in the United States, and abuse of such compounds, mixtures, or preparations may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to the substances in Schedule IV. Examples of Schedule V controlled substances include materials, compounds, mixtures, or preparations containing buprenorphine or pyrovalerone as well as compounds, mixtures, or preparations containing limited quantities of codeine, dihydrocodeine, ethylmorphine, diphenoxylate, or opium.

Miami-Dade County Drug Court — The Miami-Dade Drug Court was the first of its kind when it was implemented by the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida in 1989. Since being founded, the Miami-Dade Drug Court has led to the creation of over 2,000 drug courts in communities throughout the United States. On this website, you can learn more about how the drug court works, what the benefits of the program are, and some of the other services that are provided.

North Dade Area of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) — NA is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem, and its only requirement for membership is the desire to stop using. On this website, you can find the times and locations of meetings in Miami, Overtown, Allapattah , Brownsville, Liberty City, Little Haiti, Little River, Opa Locka, Miami Gardens, North Miami, North Miami Beach, and Carol City. You can also find additional meeting locations by visiting the website for the South Dade Area of NA.

Were you arrested or do you believe that you may be under investigation for allegedly committing a drug-related crime in Florida? It is in your best interest to contact The Hoffman Firm as soon as possible for help achieving the most favorable outcome that result in the fewest penalties.

Miami criminal defense attorney Evan A. Hoffman represents clients all over Miami-Dade County, including Miami, North Miami, South Miami, Miami Beach, and many other surrounding communities. Call (305) 249-0090 or fill out an online contact form today to take advantage of a free, confidential consultation that will let our lawyer provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case.

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Mr. Hoffman was able to get my offenses reduces to a lesser degree. His fees are one of the lowest that I could find for the type of representation that I required. If I ever need to be represented by an attorney I would surely use Mr. Hoffman again. C. Wright

★★★★★

“HE’S THE BEST!!” If I could give a 10 stars I would. Very professional, kind and understanding. Very prompt in returning my phone calls and updating me on everything. He provided his cell phone number in case I had any question or concerns. I RECOMMEND HIM. He takes his time with you and makes sure you understand STEP BY STEP. So GLAD I picked him. GOT HIM ON SPEED DIAL. Hopefully this helps someone in knowing that they will not be wasting their money. Claudia

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